Radio receiver



-A. J. sNow RADIO RECEIVER Feb. l5, 1938.

Filed July 6, 1936 2 Sheets-Shet'l llllllllllll/ Fe. 15, 193:2..l

A. J. SNOW RADIO RECEIVER Filed July'e, 193e x I JZ o "J I 775 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllii wwf/M Patented Feb. 15, 1938 PATENT oFFicE RADIO RECEIVER RESSUEM Adolph J. Snow, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Sears,

Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York uur i i n Application July 6, 1936, Serial No. 89,016

9 Claims.

My invention relates to radio receiving sets and has to do more particularly with a set having an improved housing completely inclosing the set and consisting essentially of a molded member and a closure plate.

An object of my invention is to provide a radio receiver and cabinet therefor of molded construction Which may be produced economically by means of simple, inexpensive dies and of such design that said cabinet may be quickly assembled with the receiver, thus involving a minimum of labor cost.

A further object of my invention is to provide a radio receiver cabinet of the type referred to combining an attractive appearance with adequate strength to meet all requirements. My invention is especially applicable to so-cailed table models.

Still another object is to provide a receiver having a cabinet provided with substantial open areas in the front, top and rear Walls thereof adjacent the amplifier or speaker, for the purpose of producing improved tone quality regard less of the position of the listener relative to the set. This feature is of great importance in a table model, since the set may be placed toward the center of a room with listeners on various sides of the set.

Numerous other objects andadvantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings forming a part of this specication and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a radio receiver and cabinet embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary axial sectional view on an enlarged scale of a dial forming a part of my invention; and

Fig. '7 is a sectional View along the line 'I-'I of Fig. 6.

Referring iirst to Figs. 3 and 4, the radio receiver comprises a support represented generally by the numeral I0, which may be formed of stiff metal or other suitable material, and perforated at numerous points II for ventilation. The support III comprises a platform I2, a pair of front and rear supporting walls I3 and I3 constituting legs, said legs having integral in- 'wardly turned feet I5 adjacent the ends thereof...

(Cl. Z50-14) Said feet I5 may be perforated for the seating of resilient cushions I'I of soft rubber or the like, said cushions having integral studs I8 frictionally seating in the perforations of feet I5.

As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the support I0 serves for the mounting of the various functional elements of the radio receiver such as tubes 20 and 2I, a variable condenser 23, an amplifier or loud speaker unit 25, switch and resistance elements indicated generally by the numeral 21, etc. These elements need not be described in any detail since my invention is not restricted to any particular design of receiver.

The variable condenser 23 is controlled by means of a spindle 30 which, as seen clearly in Fig. 5, is of semi-circular cross section while the switch and resistance element 2l is controlled by a spindle 32` of similar cross section.

The amplifier 25 is provided with a cone 35 of any suitable design which is supported by a circular frame 36 having an integral spider 3l. The circular frame 36 carries on its outer face an annular gasket 39 of felt or the like.

The receiver just described is housed within a cabinet indicated generally by the numeral 40. This cabinet, in accordancey with my invention, is molded out of any suitable material, such as hard rubber, bakelite (phenol-formaldehyde condensation resins) or other plastic suitable for the purpose. Said cabinet comprises a top Wall 4I, a front Wall 42, a rear Wall 43, and side walls 44, 44. The cabinet adjacent the amplifier or speaker is substantially open at the front, rear and top as seen clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, being provided with relatively long and narrow slots or openings 45 which extend along the front and rear Walls of the cabinet and at least partially across the top thereof as seen in Fig. 1. Between the openings 45 are webs 4E integral with the cabinet for reinforcing the cabinet adjacent said openings 45 While the top of the cabinet is preferably reinforced between the openings 45 by the integral panel 48 which extends between the slots 45 of the front and rear walls. The openings 45 are backed by suitable mesh fabric 49, 50, as seen in Fig. 4, which may be secured to the inside of the cabinet by means of adhesive or the like.

While the openings of the front, rear, and top Walls may be protected by grille Work of other design, it is found that the elongated ribs 46 lend themselves especially well to a molded type of cabinet.

Apertures 52 and 53 are provided in the front wall 42 of the cabinet 40 through which extend a tuning dial 55 and a combined switch and volume control knob 56.

The tuning dial, which is clearly shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 'l and which may conveniently be formed of molded material, comprises a knob or handle portion 58, a disk portion 59 and a stud portion 6D. The stud portion 50 is bored to provide a substantially flat seat 6I against which is disposed a leaf spring 62 Ywhich is retained by means of shoulders 63 formed on the walls 65. Opposite the flat face 6l the bore is substantially V-shaped as shown at 56 (Fig. 5). If desired, the dial, or, at any rate, the disk portion 59 bearing the indicia for station selection, may be formed of translucent material and an electric lamp L may beV mounted therebehind and arranged to be lighted when the receiver switch is snapped on, so that the receiver may be tuned in a dark room. A suitable window W in the front wall Aoi the cabinet may be provided for thisY purpose.

As will be clearly seen, the tuning dial may be quickly attached and detached frictionally to or from the spindle 30.

The dial may be provided with tuning indicia 63 (Fig. 2) while a datum point 69 may be provided in the cabinet by molding the same therein either in relief or in intaglio. Of course, if desired, the indicia may be arranged on the cabinet and a pointer or the like arranged on the tuning dial.

The combined switch and volume control knob 55 is also preferably molded and may be constructed similarly to the tuning dial 55, so far as concerns its means of attachment to the spindle 32, and hence said knob need not be further ldescribed.

The molded cabinet 50 is closed by a base plate 12 which may be conveniently stamped out of metal or other suitable material. Said base plate is provided with a marginal upstandingY flange 13 which seats against a rectangular shoulder provided in the lower inside edge of the cabinet 45 as shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, and is provided with a plurality of perforations 14 for iventilation. The closure plate may have formed therein a plurality of outwardly extending dimples 15, said dimples serving as feet for raising the device above the surface on which it is supported, thus facilitating ventilation. The base plate may be secured to the molded cabinet 40 by means of screws 18 which engage threaded openings provided on the inside of the cabinet Wall.` For this purpose the end walls 44, 44 of the molded cabinet (Figs. 1 and 2) may be provided with integral columns 8G of approximately cylindrical shape and extending inwardly from said side walls, the lower ends of said columns being tapped to provide female threads for engaging the screws 18. Locking washers 82 may be provided for retaining the screws 18. l

The molded cabinet 45BV is also preferably provided adiacent the bottom of the rear wall 43 thereof with a pair of openings 85, 86 in order to permit the passage, respectively, of an electrical cable 81 for connecting the receiver to a light socket or other source of current and of an antenna or ground wire 88.

As an alternative construction, the receiver chassis may be directly attached to the molded cabinet and the latter resiliently secured to the base plate, in any suitable manner.

It will be seen that I have provided a receiving set which is extremely simple and compact. Thus, the cabinet consists essentially of a single molded member constituting the front, rear, top and side walls, completely housing the set with the closure plate 12. It will be seen that the operation of assembly is reduced to the utmost simplicity. The only steps that are required are as follows: 'I'he receiver is arranged on the base plate 12,the molded cabinet lll is slipped over said unit, the tuning dial 55 and knob 5S are snapped frictionally into engagement with the spindles 3U and 32, respectively, and the base plate is secured by means of the screws 18. The felt gasket 39 permits the speaker cone to fit snugly against the front wall of the cabinet, reducing jarring of said cone.

A further advantage according to my invention is that the molded cabinet may be made very economically by means of the simplest type cf molds, consisting essentially of a male and a female member, thus lowering the cost of manufacture. 'I'he grille work shown herein is especially adapted to this kind ofmolding.

By providing the large open areas in the front, rear and top of the cabinet, I have found that a superior tone quality is produced on all sides of the set.

Numerous changes and variations coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the specic form shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

I claim: Y

1. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said lcabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet comprising an integral molded box-like portion open only on one side` and a closure plate for said open side, said cabinet being provided with reproducer openings in at least two opposed sides, integral molded grille work extending over said reproducer openings including elongated members for reinforcing the cabinet on opposite sides of and extending in a direction perpendicular to said open side, Said receiving unit being mounted in the cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings Vso as to emit sound from said openings in a plurality of directions.

V2. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet comprising an integral molded box-like portion open only on one side and a closure plate for said open side, said cabinet being provided with reproducer openingsin at least two opposed sides, integral molded grille Work extending over said reproducer openings including ribs on opposite sides of and extending in a direction perpendicular to said open side, said receiving unit Ybeing mounted in the cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings so as to emit sound from said openings in a plurality of directions.

3. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving Yunit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet having been molded integrally out of plastic material and comprising front, rear, top and end walls and a base plate secured to said cabinet, said cabinet being provided with reproducer openings in at least two opposed walls, integral molded grille work extending over said reproducer openings including ribs extending in a substantially vertical direction, said receiving unit being mounted in said cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings so as to emit sound from said openings in a plurality of directions.

4. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet comprising an integral molded box-like portion open only on one side and a closure plate for said open side, said cabinet being provided with reproducer openings in at least two opposed sides, integral molded grille Work extending over said reproducer openings including ribs on opposite sides of and extending in a direction perpendicular to said open side, said receiving unit being mounted in the cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings so as to emit sound from said openings in a plurality of directions, and means integrally molded in said box-like portion constructed and arranged to support said receiving unit and sound reproducer.

5. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet having been molded integrally out of plastic material and comprising front, rear, top and end Walls, and a base plate secured to said cabinet and forming a closure therefor, said cabinet being provided With reproducer openings in the front and rear Walls, integral molded grille Work extending over said reproducer openings including ribs extending in a substantially vertical direction, said receiving unit being mounted in said cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings so as to emit sound from said openings in a p-lurality of directions.

6. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet having been molded integrally out of plastic material and comprising front, rear, end Walls and a top, and a base plate secured to said cabinet and forming a closure therefor, said cabinet being provided with reproducer openings in at least two opposed Walls, integral molded grille Work extending over said reproducer openings including a series of ribs integrally molded in the tWo opposed Walls of said cabinet and at least partially encircling the top, the receiving unit being mounted in the cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings so as to emit sound from the openings in a plurality of directions.

7. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet having been molded integrally out of plastic material and comprising front, rear, end Walls and a top, and a base plate secured to said cabinet and forming a closure therefor, said cabinet being provided With reproducer openings in at least two opposed Walls, integral molded grille Work extending over said reproducer openings including a series of ribs integrally molded in said cabinet and starting in one opposed Wall, encircling the top and culminating in the other opposed Wall, a reinforcing member joining a portion of said ribs integrally molded in the top, the receiving unit being mounted in the cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings so as to emit sound from the openings in a plurality of directions.

8. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound reproducer, said cabinet comprising an integral molded box-like portion open only on one side, said cabinet being provided with reproducer openings in at least tWo opposed sides, integral molded grille work extending over said reproducer openings including ribs on opposite sides of and extending in a direction perpendicular to said open side, said receiving unit being mounted in sai-d cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in close proximity to one of said openings and in operative relation to the other opening so as to emit sound from both of said openings.

9. In combination, a cabinet, a radio set in said cabinet comprising a receiving unit and a sound repro-ducer, said cabinet comprising an integral molded box-like portion open only on one side and a closure plate for said open side, said cabinet being provided with reproducer openings in at least two opposed sides, integral molded grille Work extending over said reproducer openings including elongated members for reinforcing the cabinet on opposite sides of and extending at least to one edge of its respective side in a direction perpendicular to said open side, said receiving unit being mounted in the cabinet in such position that the reproducer is in operative relation to both of said openings so as to emit sound from said openings in a plurality of directions.

ADOLPI-I J. SNOW. 

